Subpart M Fall Protection

Subpart M - Fall Protection (1926.500 - 503) Unprotected sides & edges - Fall protection Fall hazards training program Fall protection - Residential construction 6’ or more Fall protection - Roofing work on low-slope roofs Fall protection - Steep roofs

Acceleration = 32 ft/sec²

1926.501 Duty to have Fall Protection

Duty to Have Fall Protection "Unprotected sides and edges." Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet (1.8 m) or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

Fall Protection Systems FPS Guardrails Safety Net PFAS

Fall Protection Systems 1926.502 Employers shall provide and install all fall protection systems required by this subpart for an employee, and shall comply with all other pertinent requirements of this subpart before that employee begins the work that necessitates the fall protection. 1926.502

Guardrail Systems Top rail, mid-rail, and toeboard Top rail 42" (plus or minus 3 inches) Toeboard minimum 3 1/2 inches high When conditions warrant, the height of the top edge may exceed the 45-inch height, provided the guardrail system meets all other criteria. When employees are using stilts, the top edge height of the top rail, must be increased an amount equal to the height of the stilts.

Midrails Required if no wall or parapet at least 21" high Installed midway between top rail and working level Screens & mesh run all along entire opening Balusters, when used, not more than 19 ” apart Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members must be installed between the top edge of the guardrail system and the walking/working surface when there is no wall or parapet wall at least 21 inches high. Midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalent structural members shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 150 pounds (666 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the midrail or other member.

Guardrail Systems Must withstand 200 pound force Appendix B of the standard provides guidance 200 lb. force, from 2" in downward or outward direction Surfaced to prevent injury No projection hazard at rail ends All rails at least 1/4" thick Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge. When the 200 pound (890 N) test load specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section is applied in a downward direction, the top edge of the guardrail shall not deflect to a height less than 39 inches (1.0 m) above the walking/working level.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems PFAS No body belts for fall arrest! Body belts for positioning systems only PFAS Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system. Note: The use of a body belt in a positioning device system is acceptable and is regulated under paragraph (e) of section 502

Anchorage "Anchorage" means a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration devices.

Anchorage Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest equipment shall be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kn.) per employee attached

Horizontal Lifelines Horizontal lifelines shall be designed, installed, and used, under the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete personal fall arrest system, which maintains a safety factor of at least two.

PFAS Personal Fall Arrest Systems must: limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds when used with a body harness; be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level; bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet

Calculation of Total Fall Distance Freefall = 6 feet maximum Deceleration Distance = 3.5 feet maximum Lifeline elongation = 2 feet maximum Total fall before stopping = 11.5 feet Portion of body landing below attachment point approximately 5 feet Total clearance below required to avoid contacting lower level may be as great as 16.5 feet or more!

Attachment Point Center of wearers back or above head The attachment point of the body belt shall be located in the center of the wearer's back. The attachment point of the body harness shall be located in the center of the wearer's back near shoulder level, or above the wearer's head.

Additional Requirements PFAS PFAS used only for fall protection If subject to impact loading, examined by CP Prompt rescue provided Body belts, harnesses, and components shall be used only for employee protection and not to hoist materials. Personal fall arrest systems and components subjected to impact loading shall be immediately removed from service and not used again until inspected and determined by a competent person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse. The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves.

Additional Requirements PFAS Inspected prior to each use Not attached to guardrail systems At hoist areas, allow movement to edge only Personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service. Personal fall arrest systems shall not be attached to guardrail systems, nor shall they be attached to hoists except as specified in other subparts of this Part. When a personal fall arrest system is used at hoist areas, it shall be rigged to allow the movement of the employee only as far as the edge of the walking/working surface.

Covers Withstand twice expected load Secured Marked with ‘HOLE’ or ‘COVER’ HOLE!! All other covers shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time. All covers shall be secured when installed so as to prevent accidental displacement by the wind, equipment, or employees.

Falling Objects Enough toeboard to protect those below 50 pounds strong downward & outward At least 3 1/2 inches high Toeboards, when used as falling object protection, shall be erected along the edge of the overhead walking/working surface for a distance sufficient to protect employees below. Toeboards shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 50 pounds (222 N) applied in any downward or outward direction at any point along the toeboard. Toeboards shall be a minimum of 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) in vertical height from their top edge to the level of the walking/working surface. They shall have not more than 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) clearance above the walking/working surface. They shall be solid or have openings not over 1 inch (2.5 cm) in greatest dimension.

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